Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-05-27

side strcamed the rcd reflection Of the
farm house windows across the placid
water.
"Thcrc's the doctors carriage at tho
door, said C5nny. "Irs old Mr. Falk-
ner's rheumatism again. Poor Doctor
/ d lrling! what he has to endure with
Mr.. Falkncr's rhcumatisml But it serves
him right, for asking Fanny Parker to
/ 80 to the picnic instead OF our Lulu; and
4 for scolding me for giving Aunt Box
wood bread and butter poullicc, in
stead of capcinc plaster for her chest.
know what I'll do--Pll take a comfort
/ able little drive around the lake in his
carriage, and see how h.'ll enjoy walk
irg home! OF course, he'll think it's
stolen, and be lalf-trightcncd out Of his
wits-aud serve him ght, too"
The thought, in Conny's mind, was
father to the deed.
Quickly and lightly she united the
horse, jumped into the carriage, and
chirrupcd to old Dick, who set off at a
! doc-trot.
The flowers which she had gathered
She flung into the bottom Of the carriage
her lght, striped shawl futtcrcd behind,
and in the faint moonlight her eyes shone
like mischievous stars.
1t was a lonely road fragrant, silent
highway--wnding Itself through the
woods; but Conny feared nothing as she
drove rapidly along singing snatches of
wild ballads to herself, until suddenly
tall, dark figure stepped forth into the
road and took the horse by the head,
with an authoritative.
'IIalt. thcrcw
Conny uttered a shrick, and dropped
the rcins. The stranger sprang into the
carriage and seated himself beside her.
"What does all this mean2" said he,
in deep voice. "What right have you
with my carriagc2"
Doctor Daring!' she gasped.
"Yes, Doctor Darlingm SAID he, stern
ly.
II thought you were in at Mr..
Falkner's " faltcred Conny. ~ wanted
a drive, an9-"
'And you sh II have one" said the
doctor, composcdIy. 81 walked across
to see Mrs. IIadlcy at the Four Corners,
and returned, as it seems, just in time
to save ms horse and carriagcp
Conny di | not say a word. She could
not th;:.G of any excuse to make.
where are you going?' she ventured
J ~. ask. in whisper.
ITO Judge Nyhefptey.s. no have you
committed for triali7
'1r' gaspcd Conny.
For horsc-stealing, succinctly added
Doctor Darling.
Conny uttered a shrek.
"What will they do to mcl" she STAN
mered, holding desperately on to the
side of the carriage.
II don't quite know whether it is a
hundred dollars fine or six months in the
pcnitentiary, Doctor Darling gravely an
swercl.
Conny began to cry.
"But l wa3 only in funm she sobbcd.
81 never mcan;-how should I2-to steal
the horse"
ut has an awkward look, nevcrthe-
less, Miss Boxwood. But of course if
you can make Judge Wheploy believe all
this ="
Poor Ccnly was thoroughly subduei
at last. With pitcous abj ctuess she
sued for pardon.
"P.easc-pIcasc, Doctor Darling" she
urged, ".orgive me! Inevcr could pay a
hundred dollars; and as for six months in
the rcy itentiary, I'd rather take posonm
Just at this moment they drove out of
tho dense woods into the broad road,
family lighted by the deepening silver
Of the young moon; and CJnny, timidly
glancing up into her companion's face,
saw an amused expression around the
corners Of his mouth.
But you don't really mean irl" said
she.
'ITow do you know that don't mean
itp demanded Doctor DUling. 81 do
mean ii mean that YOU are my cap
tive. Aud that you can only rausomo
yourself in one way, else the penitcntiary
and the fine shall be enforced to their
uttermost severity
'In what way2' asked bewildcrcd
Conny. ooh, Doctor Darling, I'll prom
ise anything!'
He let the rcins fall limp over the
dashboard. Oh D.ck walked slowly
along at his own rate of speed, while
Doctor Daring turned around to lock
his companion full in the face.
Dear little Colny, by trifing with
me no fartherl BY owning yourself to
be mine, heart and soul! BY giving
yourself to mel
''But, Doctor D Dlrling, you never could
care for silly girl like mel' faltered
Conny, scarce abe to believe her own
senses, yet consc GUS of some sudden,
vague brightness irritating all her soul.
Gould not my pelrl among maid
ensl But | can and dol! said he.
And then and there Conny and Doctor
Darling became engaged.
"Then," said Conny, as they drew ur
before Aunt Boxwood's door, you really
didn't mean it about Judge Whelpley
and the penitentiary"
'Did you think was actually in
earnestp he laughed.
Conny was silent. She had played SC
many wild, practical jokes upon people
that this really seemed to her only
righteous retribution. But she made